Nearly 151 million people in the US alone suffering from refractive errors. Therefore the demand for laser refractive surgery continues to grow.
To date, over 17 million people around the world have undergone some form of laser procedure, including LASIK, LASEK, PRK, and wavefront LASIK.
The number of these procedures performed is expected to reach a total of 3 million per year by 2014, up from nearly 1.9 million in 2006. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%.
Refractive surgery enhancements may be needed as a follow-up procedure if initial outcomes are less than satisfactory, or if there are complications following corrective eye surgery. Studies show enhancement rates range from fewer than 5 percent to more than 15 percent of all laser surgeries for vision correction.
After refractive surgery the cornea becomes thinner and weak. Therefore, a very delicate tool is required to gently remove the epithelium to prevent damage to the cornea.
Epi Clear™ is the only device that leaves the Bowman’s layer intact, making it the ideal choice for refractive surgery enhancements.
Recurrent corneal erosion (RCE) syndrome is a condition characterized by a disturbance in the corneal epithelial basement membrane. RCE results in defective adhesions and recurrent breakdowns of the epithelium. Corneal erosions are very painful and considered one of the most common, yet neglected ocular disorders.
A common treatment for this syndrome is to remove the epithelium in order to allow a new healthy epithelium to grow back.
With the Epi Clear™ device, the epithelium can be removed without trauma so that re-epithelialization is natural and is rapid.
Keratoconus is the most common corneal dystrophy in the US, affecting one in every 2,000 Americans. (Facts About the Cornea and Corneal Disease: NEI)
It is a disorder in which structural changes within the cornea cause the eye to change its normal shape to a conical shape. That may cause a distortion of vision, with multiple images, streaking and sensitivity to light. Keratoconus in both eyes, may affect driving and reading ability.
Cross linking is a vital component in treating Keratocounus. This involves peeling the epithelium in order to penetrate a special material. The Epi Clear™ device is ideal for this procedure and offers a safe, effective alternative.
The Epi Clear™ device and the EBK™ procedure are intended to prepare the eye for refractive surgery, Preparation is done by removing the corneal epithelium to create optimal conditions for laser vision correction.
Preparation techniques strive to achieve most safe, accurate and gentle removal of the epithelium so the recovery will be fast and painless and will yield satisfactory results.
The Epi Clear™ device and EBK™ procedure are uniquely positioned to meet this need.
